Thursday, September 27, 2007

moss on trees






I took pictures of these trees recently on our camping trip. The moss grows on them like crazy. It looks soft, but it is not. It is kinda crispy and looks as though you could just pull it off the tree. But, you actually can't. I tried. It's so secure that I had to pull, but it just ripped it instead. It falls off the tree naturally lining the ground beneathe. Since it had just rained, there was more on the ground than usual. My friend and I gathered two paper bags full to bring home.
Does anyone know why it grows on the tree like this?

7 comments:

  1. In the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere, the south sides of things get more sunlight. You can almost always tell north by the moss on a tree. So if you ever get lost in the woods that is one way to try and find some direction to safety.

    Love,
    Robert

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  2. As well as an indication of direction as mentioned, it also is an excellant tinder for firelighting. If you really get caught out in the wilds it can be used as a dressing for wounds as it has slight antisceptic qualities. It's also very insulative so you can use it for stuffing into clothes to keep warm and elevating you from the cold ground should you have to sleep rough.

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  3. don't have an answer for you but the photos you took are very pretty

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  4. Don't have a clue...but love the pictures and the color of green is so neat.

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  5. I just LOVE moss on trees....I usually collect it and bring it home to put among my plants....

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  6. That looks like some alien landscape. Love it!

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  7. i love moss, the way it crunches beneath your feet, the texture, the soft visual of green .. these are gorgeous :)

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